Headaches are such a common problem that they account for the largest majority of over-the-counter pain medication sales. What if there was a way to reduce your headache’s intensity and frequency naturally, without all the potentially harmful side effects? Chiropractic care can help.
Headache Overview
A common headache, such as a tension headache or migraine headache, is called a primary headache. This term means the headache is isolated, and not caused by any underlying disease or disorder. If your headache is caused by another factor, like high blood pressure, it is called a secondary headache.
Even though it feels as if your brain is hurting when you have a headache, it really isn’t. The brain structure itself is incapable of feeling pain. Your brain is processing pain from somewhere else in your body; most headaches start in the muscles, nerves and blood vessels in the neck.
Because headaches begin in the neck or the back of the head, chiropractic treatment of chronic headaches has been proven to be a very effective treatment choice for relief. Research findings in a 2014 study released by the Journal of Medicine reveals that many common treatments chiropractors use, such as gentle manipulation of the neck and spine, reduce neck pain that can lead to headaches. The same journal also released findings in 2011 proving that spinal manipulation will provide relief from cervicogenic and migraine headaches.
Causes of Primary Headaches
Anything that causes a primary headache is called a “trigger.” Common headache triggers are:
- Stress: Emotional or external stressors can result in headaches
- Food reactions: Some foods will trigger headaches in those with sensitivities
- Behaviors: Alcohol consumption, poor sleep habits, too much screen time
- Environmental overstimulation: This includes lights, noise, etc.
Only 5% of headaches are caused by underlying physical issues. The majority of the other 95% are caused by muscle tension of the neck. Americans spend more time then ever before doing sedentary things that keep them in one position for hours at a time, such as computer work and gaming. Being in the same position leads to muscle tension in your upper back, neck and scalp and can lead to joint irritation.
How can a Chiropractor Help Your Headaches?
Chiropractors are professionals who are trained to help their patients in many ways, not just back pain. Chiropractors understand that spinal tension can deeply affect many areas of the body, and they can treat this underlying tension to ease the frequency of your headaches.
Headache sufferers should make an appointment to see a chiropractor. During your visit, the doctor can help you in many ways.
Suggest new ways of doing things: Your chiropractor will give you helpful advice on ergonomics (your posture at work), your overall posture when sitting and standing, relaxation techniques, and an exercise plan to help relieve tension and joint irritation in your back and neck muscles and joints.
Offer nutritional advice: Your chiropractor may recommend dietary changes and supplements, such as B complex vitamins, to relieve frequent headaches.
Your chiropractor will perform gentle manipulation techniques to alleviate stress and muscle tension, and to improve your spinal function.
Tags: headaches stress